Music to Young Ears Conference: Engaging Deaf Children with Music
Date: Wednesday 8 May 2013Venue: National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL

This conference was the culmination of Music4U's music and hearing research project , which is part of Musical Inclusion - Supporting Children and Young People in Challenging Circumstances.

This National conference was attended by 90 delegates, from across the country which included early years practitioners, parents and carers of deaf children as well as students of music education, community music and music technology. It focused on the provision of music opportunities for deaf children aged 0 to 5 years and took take place during Deaf Awareness Week (6 to 12 May 2013).

Six inspirational guest speakers talked about the importance of music to pre-schoolers with hearing loss, how musical engagement benefits their development and ways in which technology can support access to music. There was also be practical sessions demonstrating how to involve young deaf children in music effectively.

Conference Presenters

The following people presented at the conference:

Professor David Howard - Head of the Department of Electronics, University of York, who talked about how to make music electronically with the early years and provide some live examples.

Dr Paul Whittaker OBE - Artistic Director of Music and the Deaf, who spoke about the importance of music and singing for deaf children.

Bryony Parkes - Me2 Arts & Leisure Officer at the National Deaf Children's Society, who shared how the NDCS is helping arts and music providers to integrate deaf children into mainstream provision with specialised services and resources.

Danny Lane - Music and the Deaf, who lead an audience session to demonstrate how early years practitioners and musicians can introduce deaf children to music.

Alison Stephenson - NDCS Deaf Role Model and flautist, who presented on her approach to teaching music to deaf children and her work as a role model for the National Deaf Children's Society.

Sean Chandler - Deaf trumpeter and member of Goldie's Band, who talked about what music has brought to his life. Sean will also perform for the audience.

There was also a lively marketplace with information provided from: National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS); Youth Music; York Family Information Service; Lollipop; NYMAZ and Castaway Goole Music Theatre.

The conference represented Music4U's commitment to extending expertise, knowledge and skills across the sector, increasing awareness about the value of high-quality music opportunities for young children, and sharing learning and best practice.

Feedback from Delegates

'Well organised and fantastic to have 5 high quality deaf speakers'

'Great value for money, speakers, lunch, marketplace, everything - if only every conference was like this!'